> 2) By keeping the load capacitance value same as 15pF, a 100K > externalresistor between the XTAL &EXTAL pin of the microcontroller, > population starts oscillations. I don't know much about xtal oscillators, but I'm wondering if there might be a DC bias problem with the circuit. With the circuit not oscillating, is the input (one of the pins) biased so that the inverters are in their linear (amplifying) region? Perhaps the 100K resistor is needed to help make that happen. Andy ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List technical documents are available at: http://www.si-list.net List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu